I Bought a Raptor 2, Boosted Stealth Update and Upcoming Reviews

The Boosted Stealth arrived about three weeks ago now. To say I'm stoked with the product would be an understatement!

​In what order these reviews will be released I don't know exactly. I'm just kind of letting it all happen organically.

Obviously I've been riding the Stealth the most, as it's my daily driver. I was having some pretty good fun on the H5 before I fried the BMS, so I've been waiting on a replacement battery to arrive before I can finish the review on that. The Wowgo 2S only just turned up on my doorstep a couple of days ago.

Truth be told, I probably could have had the Boosted Stealth review completed by now, but I've just been having too much fun riding the damn thing! I haven't even taken any decent photos of it, and I've been riding it so much that it already looks very "loved." I'm actually a little concerned any photos I take of the Stealth now aren't going to "pop" in the way I usually like. I even forgot to save the live stream of my unboxing, so that will be missing from my eventual review. The silly mistakes you make when you're over-excited...

During the wait time for my Boosted Stealth, Orangatang released their 77A blue Kegel's and Caguama's. The esk8 community properly lost its collective mind over this release. I had some 83A purple Caguama's on order with my Stealth at the time and promptly changed that order to the 77A blues. I was assured a set would be put aside and bundled with my Stealth. The Aussie distributor I went through, Twelve Board Store, came through with the goods. On the unboxing of my brand new Stealth, sitting snugly in the box was also a set of minty fresh 77A blue Caguama's. It was like being a kid on Christmas morning all over again!

I'm going to write a separate mini-review dedicated to the 77A blue Caguama's on my Facebook Page, which I plan to use a lot more for component reviews and smaller subjects that perhaps don't warrant elaborate blog posts. I've already starting using the in-built blog (Notes) feature over there for a few pieces. If you haven't Liked/Followed the Page yet, head on over and do it now. The 77A Caguama mini-review is coming soon!

An interesting development in the Australian Boosted scene has been the increase in price. I was lucky enough to order as part of the first batch, which was priced at $2350AUD (including GST and delivery). The price has since increased to $2500AUD (including GST and delivery). I know it's only $150, but there's a mental hurdle you have to jump when you start taking about a $2500 sticker price. I'm not sure I could have mentally made the leap at that price, so I'm super happy I decided to pull the trigger when I did.

​Speaking of getting things at a good price, I just ordered an Enertion Raptor 2.1 for $2047AUD (including GST and delivery). That's an absolute steal! The usual price is $2374.90AUD ​(including GST and delivery).

'How did you achieve this miraculous wonder,' you say?

​Have you seen Enertion's Halloween special? Get together with a friend, buy two, split the cost and there's a decent saving to be made (until October 31, 2018). There's also a few "$100 off" coupons around the place that are still active, which brings the price down even further.

Yep, I'm stoked! A Raptor 2 was always pretty high on my list of purchase considerations. I've been engaged in an internal debate with myself for a while about what my "power board" is going to be? A LaCroix, Hoyt St, Raptor 2 or DIY? Bear in mind this whole idea was supposed to be a 2019 project, that is until Enertion's Halloween special hit my Facebook feed! A combination of the stellar price, as well as the idea of importing a board (e.g. LaCroix or Hoyt St) from the US to Australia remaining so economically offensive, finally tipped the scales towards Enertion.

With all of the improvements that have gone into the 2.1 and the awesome opportunity to snap one up at such a bargain price, well, I just couldn't say no anymore. My personal "fun fund" has been completely emptied (and then some), but hey, that's what it's there for, right? Some middle-aged dudes are in to classic cars or have other far more expensive hobbies. A couple of 2k electric skateboards is a pretty cheap mid-life crisis by comparison!

Having these two premium boards in my quiver (Boosted Stealth and Enertion Raptor 2.1) really does tick almost every box for me. The Stealth really is the perfect daily commuter. User friendly, flexy, comfortable, carvy, a perfect control interface, zero battery sag and fairly light weight. If the Boosted Stealth is my "daily driver," the Raptor 2 is my "weekender." Crazy speed and range in a sleek, street board package! Between these two boards, I think I'm going to be immensely happy for a very long time to come.

My Raptor 2 delivery date is estimated to be sometime in January; slap-bang in the middle of the Australian summer. Can't wait!

With my premium quiver sorted my mind returns to the mid-tier and budget arena. I've knocked a few players back over the last month or two. I don't want my reviews to become too repetitive and seeing as how most of these boards are pretty much 90% the same, it's hard to keep things fresh. I don't know how many more I'll volunteer to do. It's up to you guys to 1. Tell me that you want me to keep reviewing budget boards, and 2. Let the budget board companies know who the trusted reviewers are in the community so I'm continually brought to their attention.

So, what do you guys want to see from this blog in the future?

I have some ideas. I'd like to write some more content to the tune of:

How to guides

Industry commentary

Community commentary

Safety

Gear and accessory reviews

Interviews (maybe a Podcast?)

What do you think? ​Let me know in the comments section wherever you're reading this. I'd love to know.